Saturday, 6 June 2015

“Sarvabhashamayebhasha Siribhuvalaya” – a Kannada Poetry in Numerics authored by the ancient poet of Kannada language Kumudendu Muni, has the rare honour of being called the “10th Wonder of the World”. This is the only Poetry in Numerics in the entire world and it has to be considered as an Encyclopedia of the world. The pre-titles: “Sarvabhashamayee” (inclusive of all languages), “Sarvashastramayee” (inclusive of all scriptures) and “Sarvajnanamayee” (inclusive of all knowledge) explain the vastness and depth of this great ancient work.

On each page of this great poetry, there is a big square like diagram. Each square has been divided into 729 small squares (by having 27 vertical lines and 27 horizontal lines). This page containing this big square is called “Chakra” or Circle. The numerics have to be read by applying the corresponding alphabet in Kannada in different formats (known as ‘Bandhas’ - such as Shredhi, Sarpa, Jodinagara, Hamsa, Mayura etc., which are around 40 in number. This will reveal the literature of many other languages. The different languages that come out of this exercise are 718! Presently, this has been deciphered in the Shredhi format (it is the literature concealed in a Column) and the Kannada literature in Sangatya style (a Kannada metre) has been identified. If the entire poetry is deciphered like this, the total number of Kannada metre style (‘Sangatya’ – means a style of writing Kannada poems in four line format)basic kannada poems that emerge from this great work will be six lakhs!

When this is read with suitable classifications as instructed, we get a definite nature of the literature pertaining to harmony and cohesion of 363 religions in 718 languages - Arithmetic, Space Voyage, Ayurveda, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Musicology, Atomic Science, Computer technology, Vedic literature, ancient literature such as Ramayana, Maha Bharatha and all other topics!

This contains about 16000 pages – these pages are indicated as ‘Circles” (Chakra). This huge volume has been divided into 9 Khandas (Units). Each Unit has several Chapters. The first Unit, which is in the nature of preamble to the entire volume, contains 59 Chapters and its transformation in letter-form was ready in 1952 itself. Of this, only 33 Chapters were printed and the rest remained in the manuscript form. Now the original literature and the hidden literature from the 34th to 50th Chapters have been published. The total volume of original Kannada verses in Siribhuvalaya is 6,00000. The hidden literature of various other languages arising from these words extends to ‘hundred thousand lakh crore’ verses (Slokas)! This rare and wonderful ancient work was unknown not only at the international and national literary circles, but even in the Kannada literary field itself! After the publication of its first version in the letter-form about 60 years before, very recently a book giving a brief introduction about this great piece of literature has been published in Kannada!

The structure and format of this work, encompassing in it the essence of all the great literary works of the world, is indeed very complex and intricate. This poetic style is indeed very new and strange to the Kannada literary field. Naturally it is hard to understand it properly. For these reasons, this great piece of literature did not gain much publicity.

Siribhuvalayada Sudharthy has written about 9 introductory books on Siribhuvalaya in kannada. The scholarly and precious preface written in detail by one of the greats of contemporary Kannada literature field, Prof.G.Venkatasubbaiah to this introductory book. I feel that those who involve themselves in selfless-service in the literary field, this is the highest recognition one can aspire for!

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A brief history about “Sarvabhashamayeebhasha Siribhuvalaya” of Adikavi Kumudendumuni.

The Jains hold the 24 *Thirthankaras in high esteem and reverence. Rushabha Deva was the first Thirthankara among them. After ruling the entire world for a long time, he became averse to worldly attachments. Before proceeding to the forest for penance Vanaprasta, he equally divided his worldly assets to his four children.

His eldest son Bharath begot the entire kingdom; his second son, Bahubali got Poudanapura; his sister Brahmi got the 64 alphabets of Kannada language beginning with ‘C’; the youngest daughter, Sundari gets the numbers from 1 to 9 along with 0. The Kannada numbers are its letters; its letters are numbers. This is the essence of the supreme knowledge [Kevala Jnana – Knowledge of Emancipation or Liberation] attained by Adi Thirthankara Rushabha Deva. This is the main thrust of this work. These letters and numbers are similar to each other and with the help of this, it is possible to know the entire knowledge pertaining to the world and thereby attain salvation in life. Rushabhadeva taught this secret to his junior daughter, Sundari.

This cosmic knowledge or wisdom flowed from the Gods to Rushabha Deva who in turn passed it on to Gommata Deva (known as Adimanmatha), who neatly incorporated them in the coded numerical form. He later preached it to his elder brother Bharatha. Through Ganadhara, this divine knowledge was passed on to the next Thirthankara Ajitha. Like this it flowed to the next 21 Thirthankaras in the form of preaching (Upadesha) from one to another.

The Jain ancient literature mentions that the period between some of these Thirthankaraas was over three thousand years. The living span of the ancient Thirthankaraas itself was more than lakhs of years.

Nemi was the 22nd Thirthankara. This cosmic knowledge bestowed from the heaven was taught to Sri Krishna of Dwaraka by Nemi. This was presented by Sage Vyasa (Vyasa Maharshi) in the form of Bhagavad Geeta containing 163 Cantos (Slokas) titled Jayakhyana. Sri Krishna preached this to Arjuna, who was about to retreat from the war field (1954 BC).

The Siddhartha of Kapilavastu was the disciple of Parshwanatha, the 23rd Thirthankara. He later became Buddha and founded Buddhism (450 BC?).

Mahaveera, the 24th Thirthankara (201 BC?) passed on this cosmic wisdom to Ganadhara Gouthama. Gouthama incorporated this in his work known as “Purve Kavya” (the ancient Kavya). This was also known as “Mangalaprabruta” and “Karana Sutra”.

In 130 BC Gouthama preached this wealth of divine knowledge to a king known as Shrenika. After the descending of ten Saints (Gurus), in 50 BC one Prabhavasena wrote “Mangala Pahuda” with focus on Kannada, Sanskrit and Prakruth languanges.

The same descendancy of Saints continued. And in 400 AD, Bhuthabali presented this divine knowledge in a work titled ‘Bhuvalaya’. In the continued tradition, Veerasenacharya wrote a commentary on this divine knowledge (which was in the form of Shatkhandaagama)

These later became popular as “Dhavala”. Jinasena, disciple of Veerasena, compiled the ancient Maha Purana. Around 800 AD (i.e., exactly one thousand one and half year after the attainment of salvation of Mahaveera, the 24th Thirthankara) Kumadendumuni wrote this “Sarvabhashaamayee bhashaa Siribhuvalaya”. This divine knowledge was earlier in two forms known as: Nootana – Prakthana. Kumudendumuni wrote this Kannada numeric poetry on the palm leaves. He has codified this in the form of Kannada numerics in 9 number combinations and presented it as a Kannada Numeric Poetry (composition in verse). Thus an unprecedented great piece of poetry in Kannada numerics came to the world.

Later Kumudendu Muni preached this to Gangarasa Saigotta Sivamara (780-812 AC) and then to Amoghavarsha, Emperor of Rashtrakoota, Nrupathunga (814-880 AC). Mallikabbe, wife of one Sena who was the Commander of the army, copied this work on a buff paper and presented to her Guru (preacher) Maghanandi (Maghananandi). One such copy has come down from generation to generation and has been preserved in the family of Shatavadhani Dharanendra Pandit, a famous Ayurvedic Doctor in Doddabele Village alongside the railway track of Bangalore-Tumkur. It is a historical fact that he used to read this in the numeric language and his friend Chanda Pandit used to give commentaries.

Around 1913 AD Dharanendra Pandit passed away. Later this extra-ordinary ancient numeric-poetry came to the possession of one Sri Yallappa Shastry, who was an Ayurvedic medicine sales representative. He preserved it in his private library. But coming across this heap of numeric-poetry (codified language; very hard to decipher), Pandit Yallappa Shastry was, in fact, disillusioned!

One Karlamangalamam Srikantaih, was a great follower of Gandhi. Influenced by the struggle for freedom movement, he settled down in Bangalore around 1927. He later became a scholar in many languages. He came across this great ancient work and firmly resolved to decipher it.

By his continued efforts, he was able to match each alphabet with the numbers found in the Siribhuvalaya text. By this method, he succeeded in sorting out this Kannada numeric poetry in the form of simple and Kannada language having a cogent and meaningful literature. This was publicized at the State, national and international levels also.

With the sincere and foresighted efforts of Maharshi Devaratha of Gokarna (a close associate of Dr.Rajendra Prasad,) and the intervention of the then President of India, late Dr.Rajendra Prasad, this rare work of literature was preserved in the Government of India Archives Department in Micro-film format. The first part of this was printed in Kannada language through the Sarvarthasiddhi Sangha, Bangalore and released at the Kannada Sahitya Parishat in 1953 in the form of a book. It carried the name Ellappa Shastry as ‘Researcher’ and Karlamangalam Srikantaiah as ‘Editor’. Its second part was published in 1955. These notable developments pertaining to Siribhuvalaya have unfortunately not been properly appreciated in the Kannada literary field till now; in fact, it is a case of gross negligence!

Dr.S.Srikantha Shastry, famous Professor of Indian History, has lauded Karlamangalam Srikantaia’s unmatched brilliance in no uncertain terms. Ms.Elizebeth Berner of Hungary, Mr.Pharal of USA, Mr.Sirigetanaph of Japan and other foreign scholars have described this ancient Kannada poetry in numerics: Sarvabhaashaamayeebhaashaa Siribhuvalaya – as the ‘Tenth Wonder of the World’

It is a universal fact that Adi Shankaracharya was a most prominent person to propagate the theory of ‘Advaita’. A few years later, it was Kumudendu Muni who equally advocated and propagated the theory of ‘Advaita’. But yet he remains a stranger to the world even now! Both Shankaracharya and Kumudendu Muni had their own unique and typical ways of spreading this universal truth. Kumudendu Muni was popularly known as “Yalavabhurisi” and by his unmatched brilliance wrote this second-to-none “Siribhuvalaya”

Even today many educated and enlightened class do not know that such a precious piece of divine and comprehensive literature in Kannada exists! Even among those who know, the number of persons who are aware of the vastness and variety of subjects included in this text is very rare.

What does Siribhuvalaya contains? Answer to this question is: Anything and Everything! It holds the entire gamut of issues pertaining to this material world as also that of the world beyond. Issues relevant to this material world as also issues in the form of preachings for emancipation of the self in diverse ways are extensively dealt in here. It is, in fact, a store-house of complete knowledge!

Modern science tells that water is made up of two components: hydrogen and oxygen (H2O). Many people consider this as an invention of modern science. However, the improved Kannada version of this science formula can be found in Siribhuvalaya of Kumudendu Muni! Not only that, we come across several facts relating to atomic science also! ‘ಅಣುವು ನೀರೊಳಗೆಷ್ಟು|ಅನಲವಾಯುಗಳೆಷ್ಟು| ನೆನೆದು ಸುಡದ ಅಣುವೆಷ್ಟು’ – (What is the quantity of atoms in water? – this explains that the water is made up of two parts of Hydrogen and one part of Oxygen. How many varieties of fire are there? How many types of winds are there? How many atoms are there which are indestructible in water or fire?) thus goes the explanation in Siribhuvalaya giving details of the atomic science.

The technology of Satellite launching and fixing it in a pre-determined orbit appears to be of modern invention. Kumudendu Muni describes in Siribhuvalaya as: ‘ತನುವನು ಆಕಾಶಕೆ ಹಾರಿಸಿ ನಿಲಿಸುವ ಘನವೈಮಾನಿಕ ಕಾವ್ಯ’ – (that is, this is a great Aero-Space poetry which flies a man to space and stations him there!) - which suggestively throws light on space technology!!

Again, computers are believed to be the invention of modern science. Siribhuvalaya mentions: ‘ಜೋಡಿಯಂಕದ ಕೂಟದಂಗ’, ‘ಯವೆಯಕಾಳಿನ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದಳತೆಯೊಳಡಗಿಸಿ’ – which makes it clear that this technology (binary system) was known to our ancestors about 1200 years before itself! Siribhuvalaya also gives information about radio, telecommunication, television, mobile technology etc., defying the notion that they are modern day inventions!!

However, such a great piece of work remained in dark for over 50 years. Due to the efforts of Pustakashakti Prakashana of Bangalore (during the last decade after 2000), a team of Scholars headed by Dr.TV Venkatachala Shastri revised the 1953 edition of this work in their own perspective and published the incomplete version. However, the details therein have created much more confusion.

The original literature and its hidden literature contained in Chapters 34 to 59 of the first Canto (Khanda) of Siribhuvalaya have been published under the title: ‘Siribhuvalayasaagararatna Manjusha’1-2. These details provide a bird’s eye-view of the origin, expansion and history of ‘Siribhuvalaya’, an ancient Kannada poetry in numerics.

The introductory books of many great Indian poets and their works has found a place at the international level. Unfortunately, Siribhuvalaya, a wonderful ancient work of poetry in numerals, was unknown to Kanndigas itself. It was, therefore, unthinkable to find a way to introduce this at the international level. The work of giving a proper introduction of this rare piece of work is really difficult. I had not even thought of giving expression to these feelings in English language! Sri Kavi Suresh of Shimoga who has gladly agreed to take up this translation work. Sri Kavi Suresh is a descendant of the Keladi Kavi Family beginning with Kavi Linganna, the Court Poet of Keladi rulers and the author of ‘Keladi Nrupa Vijaya’. This translated version will definitely help “Siribhuvalaya – the 10th Wonder of the World” to find introduction and recognition at the national and international level. I am grateful to him for this effort.

-Siribhuvalayada Sudharthy. Mob.No. 9449946280.

sudharthyhassan@gmail.com

* Kumudendu Muni describes the Kannada script as round and beautiful. It is clear that this script form is not used in our edicts. It, therefore, becomes clear that the beautiful Kannada script was in use in the palm-leaves even before 800 AD.* As per the information given by Kumudendu Muni, he is a Jain Brahmin belonging to Vrashabhasenanvaya Senagana, Saddharma Gotra, Dravyanga Branch, Jnatha Vamsha, Vrushabha Sutra, Ikshvaku lineage. These are his personal details before he became a Yati (Sanyasi). Karlamangalam Srikantaiah, based on the Kumudendu Shataka of Devappa, has indicated that Kumudendu Muni was a Deshigana-Nandisangha-Kundakundanvaya Vakgragacha Yati. Many scholars do not agree with this view!

*Kumudendu Muni’s Siribhuvalaya has categorically and beyond doubt established the fact that Rig Veda is the most ancient source of all knowledge. The Jain tradition, though may have a history of crores of years, has its roots in Vedopanishads. We can see that Kumudendu Muni has described these Vedopanishads as very benign, venerable and holy.* Every living creature in this world perishes. But, it is not the last journey for the soul which was inside in that body till then! By diluting all the karmas accumulated over several births and proceeding towards the ‘destination of no return’ is salvation, as explained by Kumudendu Muni in simple Kannada language! The results of our previous ‘karmas’ is the reason for all our troubles and turmoils in our present lives. Suicide is no solution to get out of these miseries. Our Scriptures warn us that it is only an illusion and that this will only make our future lives still more miserable! To sincerely heed to this or to reject is left to our individual culture.* There is a false belief that television, radio, telephone and other mass media are the invensions of modern science! Kumudendu Muni had the necessary expertise in this technology and it is a fact that the same has been appreciated by Gangarasa Saigotta Sivamara of Talakadu and Rashtrkoota Amoghavarsha Nrupathuna. Siribhuvalaya declares that it is a Bhuvalaya of such great saint-lineage who have discarded these material comforts, in spite of the possibility of getting great success and fame! [The horse-gait form hidden literature of poem numbers 52-54 of Chapter 36]. While Kumudendu Muni kicked away these material benefits in higher spiritual pursuits, our present day few literary scholars are trying to exhibit their “brilliance” by kicking the Siribhuvalaya itself!

* As already mentioned several times, the traditional Jains have no faith in Vedas. The Vedic tradition people consider Jains outside the purview of Vedas. But the Yapaneeya sect of Jains, who propagate universal oneness, believe in the tenets of Vedas! Kumudendu Muni has mentioned that the ‘Sena Gana’ sect (one of the prominent sects of Jain tradition) belonged to Rk.Branch! (Kumudendu Muni also belonged to ‘Sena Gana’ sect). Then, how can Jains oppose Vedas?! (Pl.see Chapter 44, Foot-2 – first lettered Stamba Kavya].

*There is a belief that ‘Vasectomy’ and ‘Tubectomy’ – sterilization methods to control population are inventions of modern science. It may appear strange to know that these methods were known to our ancestors; nobody will believe this! But as per the information embedded in Siribhuvalaya by Kumudendu Muni, this technique has been named: ‘Lingachedhana Vijnana’ - ‘ಲಿಂಗಛೇಧನವಿಜ್ಞಾನ’. [Pl.see – Hidden horse-gait style literature of Poem No.54 of Chapter 45].

* No man is perfect in the world. Each one has all types of characters inbuilt in him. It is the nature’s law. We find predominance of certain characters in an individual based on his previous ‘Karmas’. These characters vary in quality and content from individual to individual. Besides, they also keep on changing with the passage of time. A bad person may become a gentleman and vice-versa. This has been specifically advocated by Kumudendu Muni in his Siribhuvalaya.